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Completely redesigned for 2019, the KX™450 is built to lead the competition with a more powerful engine, race-ready suspension and a new electric start. Feel the race-winning advantage with a lightweight platform and upgraded bodywork that focuses on form and function. Absolutely no other manufacturer comes close to the unrivaled legacy of KX.

Kawasaki Technology

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Discover Kawasaki's Technology

Launch Control Mode

In motocross racing, getting a good start is critical. A few tenths of a second can make the difference between getting the holeshot or getting buried in the pack. In slippery conditions, getting the maximum drive from a motocross bike requires

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Launch Control Mode

In motocross racing, getting a good start is critical. A few tenths of a second can make the difference between getting the holeshot or getting buried in the pack. In slippery conditions, getting the maximum drive from a motocross bike requires precise control of both the clutch and throttle.

Launch Control Mode helps riders get out of the gate quickly by complementing high-level technique with engine management. Featured on a mass-production motocross bike for the first time on Kawasaki's KX™450F, the system activates a separate engine map designed to get a more efficient start off the line. The system is designed to the same specifications as that used by Kawasaki Factory racers competing in the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross championships.

Launch Control Mode is activated simply by pressing a button on the handlebar. The Launch Control map slightly slows down the ignition timing to help tame the engine's strong torque and reduce wheel-spin off the start. Launch Control Mode is only active in the first two gears off the start, disengaging and returning to the standard engine map automatically once the rider shifts into third gear. The system gives riders a great advantage out of the gate and puts them in a better position to control the race.